Millennial Star

THE LATTER-DAY SAINTS'

MILLENNIAL STAR

Established in 1840

" To give the Holy Ghost through prayer and laying on of hands
is a power that none but a true minister of God possesses ; it can-
not be counterfeited." — Orson Pratt.

No. 38, Vol. 95 Thursday, September 28, 1933 Price One Penny

"MORMON" HOME LIFE AND IDEALS

President Don B. Colton

OP THE EASTERN STATES MISSION

My brethren and sisters and friends : As has been announced, I
am leaving within a few days to take up my work as a missionary
in the Eastern States Mission. I returned a few days ago from
a trip to New York, where I met practically all of the mis-
sionaries labouring in that mission. I came back with gladness
in my soul that I have been called to labour with such a fine
group of young men and women, and among such a splendid
people as are to be found in the Eastern States. I hope I can
bear in honour the message of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, as
proclaimed in these latter days by the Church of which we are
members.

In arising to speak to you this afternoon, the words of the
Saviour, found in the seventh chapter of Matthew, come to me :

Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns,
or figs of thistles ?

Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit ; but a corrupt tree
bringeth forth evil fruit.

A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree
bring forth good fruit.

Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down and cast
into the fire.

Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them.

A few days ago, in reading a book entitled, Problems of Re-
ligion, I came across these words :

Not by its early and crude forms, nor by its uninspired devotees is re-
ligion to be judged, but by what it becomes in the lives of the prophets
and saints. The important thing is behaviour rather than belief.

When I read that, the thought came to me : why not both ? If
correct belief, translated into life, brings good behaviour, why
cannot the test be both belief and behaviour? That seems to
me a fair test by which to judge a religion.

020 LATTER-DAY SAINTS' MILLENNIAL STAR

I have no thought here of discussing, in detail, all of the ways
in which I think the Gospel of Jesus Christ, as taught by the
Latter-day Saints, when translated into life makes its votaries
better. 1 would not have time for such a task. But there have
come to me, in the contemplation of this address, some thoughts
with respect to this subject which I would like to express. It
has seemed to me that at least two principles might be examined
and be profitable for consideration for a few moments.

One of the fundamental teachings of the Church is the one with
respect to home. We have been from the beginning a home-
building and a home-loving people. Notwithstanding all that some
of our critics have said, we are happy and proud to be judged by
the fruits of the homes of members of the "Mormon*' Church.
We believe that the home is the basic unit of our social life, and
when properly commenced here, will endure throughout eternity ;
and that the sacred relationship of husband and wife, parent and
child, continues to the faithful so long as life exists, and that is
through all eternity.

President Theodore Roosevelt, in one of his great speeches,
used these words :

No piled-up wealth, no splendour of material growth, no brilliance of
artistic development will permanently avail any people unless its home
life is sacred ; unless the average man possesses honesty, courage, com-
mon sense and decency ; unless he works hard and is Avilling, at need, to
fight hard ; and unless the average woman is a good wife, a good mother,
able and willing to perform the first and greatest duties of womanhood,
able and willing to bear and bring up, as they should be brought up,
healthy children, sound in body, mind and character.

A PROPER HOME INFLUENCE IS FUNDAMENTAL

To the sentiment expressed by that great man we heartily
subscribe. It is at the very base of our social and religious life.
The home and the home influence should be all that he describes,
and even more.

There is no one who speaks with more authority for the
Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints than the president.
I want you to bear with me a moment while I read some of the
words of the late President Joseph F. Smith. I could, if time per-
mitted, quote from all the men who have presided over the Church,
and show how each of them has expressed similar sentiments
regarding home and home life :

A home is not a home, in the eye of the Gospel, unless there dwell per-
fect confidence and love between the husband and the wife. Home is
a place of order, love, union, rest, confidence and absolute trust ; where
the breath of suspicion, of infidelity cannot enter ; where the woman
and the man each have implicit confidence in each other's honour and
virtue. . . .

What, then, is an ideal home — a model home such as it should be the
ambition of the Latter-day Saints to build ; such as a young man starting
out in life should wish to erect for himself ? And the answer came to me :
It is one in which all worldly considerations are secondary.

One in which the father is devoted to the family with which God has
blessed him, counting them of first importance, and in which they in turn
permit him to live in their hearts. One in which there is confidence,
union, love, sacred devotion between father and mother, and children
and parents. One in which the mother takes every pleasure in her

LATTER-DAY SAINTS' MILLENNIAL STAR 027

children, supported by the father — all being moral, pure, God-fearing.
As the tree is judged by its fruit, so also do we judge the home by the
children. In the ideal home true parents rear loving, thoughtful child-
ren, loyal to the death, to father and mother and home ! In it there is
the religious spirit, for both parents and children have faith in God, and
their practices are in conformity with that faith ; the members are free
from the vices and contaminations of the world, are pure in morals, hav-
ing upright hearts beyond bribes and temptations, ranging high in the
exalted standards of manhood and womanhood. Peace, order and con-
tentment reign in the hearts of the inmates — let them be rich or poor in
things material. There are no vain regrets ; no expressions of discontent
against father, from the boys and girls, in which they complain : " If we
only had this or that, or were like this family or that, or could do like
so and so " ! — complaints that have caused fathers many uncertain steps,
dim eyes, restless nights and untold anxiety. In their place is the loving
thoughtfulness to mother and father by which the boys and girls work
with a will and a determination to carry some of the burden that the
parents have staggered under these many years. There is the kiss for
mother, the caress for father, the thought that they have sacrificed their
own hopes and ambitions, their strength, even life itself to their child-
ren— there is gratitude in payment for all that has been given them !

THE FOUNDATION OF AN IDEAL HOME

In the ideal home the soul is not starved, neither are the growth and
expansion of the finer sentiments paralyzed for the coarse and sensual
pleasures. The main aim is not to heap up material wealth, which gener-
ally draws further and further from the true, the ideal, the spiritual life :
but it is rather to create soul-wealth, consciousness of noble achievement,
an outflow of love and helpfulness.

It is not costly paintings, tapestries, priceless bric-a-brac, various orna-
ments, costly furniture, fields, herds, houses and lands, which constitute
the ideal home, nor yet the social enjoyments and ease so tenaciously
sought by many ; but it is rather beauty of soul, cultivated, loving, faith-
ful, true spirits ; hands that help and hearts that sympathize ; love that
seeks not its own, thoughts and acts that touch our lives to finer issues —
these lie at the foundation of the ideal home.

I submit to you that a church that teaches and believes such
doctrines is not wrong in its theory regarding home.

Now, as to the translation of this doctrine into the lives of its
members, may I say that in the first place we believe that the
marriage ties, or that home should be commenced in the most
sacred place, to us, in all the world — the temple of our God.
There, young men and young women who are entering upon the
sacred responsibilities of husband and wife are taught the true
order of prayer. They are instructed by the officers of the
Church, by their own parents, that a home that has within it the
high ideals to which I have referred will bring more happiness
and joy than anything else in the world ; that to secure these
blessings divine help should be invoked daily. The child is
taught to lisp his prayers from the time lie walks and talks.
The father and mother around that sacred home altar join in
prayer and supplication to God for His assistance. Each day
and hour, as the children advance in life, they are taught by the
mother one of the very fundamentals of "Mormonism," namely,
that the most precious thing in all the world is chastity and
virtue. Then when they go out to meet the battles of life they
hear talks on honour and integrity in every Church organization.

I went yesterday to the library. I picked up a volume of the

028 LATTER-DAY SAINTS' MILLENNIAL STAR

discourses of the second president of this Church, Brigham
Young. I copied only one or tAvo sayings from that man, these
among them :

Honest hearts produce honest actions. Holy desires produce corres-
ponding outward works.

Fulfil your contracts and sacredly keep your word.

These but indicate, in a brief way, the fundamentals taught
young men and women from their childhood up. And how
many a mother, sending her boy forth, talks to him. reaches his
heart as only a mother can. I could tell you to-day of a mother,
not long ago, who, sending her boy out into the world as a mis-
sionary, left burning in his soul words something like this :

I can bear to see you go. Though you are the first of ten children to
go, I am not worried about that. I am glad to have you go oiit as a mis-
sionary. But I am concerned about your own life. I could stand it, if
need lie, to see you come back in your casket, if God so wills. But it
would break my heart, and I could not stand it, for you to come back un-
true to the ideals of your Church and to your home, and having known
that you had violated the laws of chastity and virtue. Promise me, if
you will, please, that you will live true to these ideals, and all the rest
will be easy. We will struggle along. We will make the sacrifices neces-
sary to keep you on your mission. But we want you, in return, to show
the fruits of your own home teachings, by the life which you lead while
you are preaching the word of God, and, indeed, through all the years
that are to come.

THE TEST OP A DOCTRINE IS IN ITS USE

The test of any doctrine is whether or not it can be translated
into life. This young man returned after filling his mission,
bearing testimony that whenever tempted, the words of his
mother came before him, and he saw the earnest face of that
loving mother pleading for him to be a man.

That is " Mormonism " translated into life. I say to you to-day,
such a fountain cannot being forth impure water. When the
story is known in the world — I mean the story of " Mormon" home
life — there should be no more questioning the motive back of
those who are working to spread the truth of "Mormonism."

May I say here, in passing, that it is my humble judgment
that the honour and respect taught to our people as regards
home and the place of honour in that home occupied by the
mothers and wives in this Church, has been perhaps one of the
greatest if not the greatest source of the strength of the civili-
zation w'e have built in these mountain valleys. For be it
known that nowhere in all the world is there a civilization that
excels, and few that equals the civilization Ave have built here.

The second thought to which I would like to address myself for
a moment is that the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
teaches, with great plainness, lessons regarding life that I do not
belieA7e are found in the theology of any other church in the
world. I have particular reference to the doctrine Ave teach
regarding life — its origin, its sacredness. its destiny.

We belieATe that in a literal sense AA*e existed before this mortal
life, and that we are the children of our Father in heaven. We
belieA^e that there is ample scripture to support this doctrine.
It is easy to establish from the Sacred Word eATidence in support

LATTER-DAY SAINTS4 MILLENNIAL STAR 629

of the fact that there was a pre-existenee, particularly with
reference to the Saviour Himself. He frequently stated that
He would return to the place in which He lived before comiug
here. We have frequent references to this doctrine in the
Scriptures. Jeremiah was ordained a prophet before he came
to earth — before he was born of woman. Paul says, in the
twelfth chapter, ninth verse, of Hebrews :

Furthermore we have had fathers of our flesh which corrected lis, and
and we gave them reverence ; shall we not much rather be in subjection
unto the Father of spirits, and live ?

I could cite many other references in scripture where this
doctrine is taught. I only refer to it now for this one purpose,
namely, to show that a boy or a girl avIio becomes imbued, early
in life, with the thought that he or she is a child of God and can
approach our Father Avith the same assurance of being heard as
by an earthly parent, it is a great step toward stability of
character and correct living.

Not long ago I was talking with a very prominent man from
one of the eastern states, who had visited our communities in
southern Utah, and had heard on a fast day, our young men and
women bear the testimony that they knew that the Gospel is
true and that God lives. He said to me :

It was the most surprising, and at the same time the most appealing
experience of my whole life. I would rather have my boy start out in life
with a firm conviction in his soul that there is a God, than I would have
him have anything else in the wide world.

THE PRICELESS HERITAGE OF FAITH

That certitude, that stability that comes with faith in God is
one of the most priceless heritages of our children.

Take then the story as to why Ave are here — the greatness and
possibilities of this life. In the first place, Ave belieA'e that these
bodies are giATen to us as an eternal abiding place for the spirit
of God, and in the language of the Apostle Paul, Ave frequently
warn our young people not to defile the temples of God, but to keep
them clean. They are the houses in which our spirits shall
dwell forever. And so temporal — if I may use that term — as
Avell as teachings with respect to life, go hand in hand with spirit-
ual. In fact, in the language of a modern scripture, a reA'elation
giA'en to the Prophet Joseph, there is no distinction in the eyes
of God, betAveen temporal and spiritual. May I read just tA\o
verses :

For by the power of my spirit created I them ; yea, all things both
spiritual and temporal — . . .

Wherefoie, verily I say unto you that all tilings to me are spiritual,
and not at any time have I given unto you a law which was temporal ;
neither any man nor the children of men ; neither Adam, your father,
AAiiom I created.

All things with God are spiritual. These bodies are to Him
spiritual. Home, all of the creations of God. all of His command-
ments, are spiritual in the eyes of the Lord. And these bodies
are sacred, spiritual creations of our Father in heaven, for He
created all things spiritually eA^en before they AAere created, as
Ave call it, temporally.

630 LATTER-DAY SAINTS1 MILLENNIAL STAR

President Young — may I quote again — used these Avoids :

What tire we here for? To learn to enjoy more and to increase in
knowledge and experience. The first great principle of life is improve-
ment.

Every boy and girl, from youth up, learns that the glory of
God is intelligence. We believe that the degree of intelligence
to which we attain in this life, that degree of growth and develop-
ment Ave reach here, determines our status when Ave commence
the life hereafter. We believe that life hereafter is but a con-
tinuation of the life here.

There is no place in "Mormon" theology Avhere the spirit or
soul of man ceases to progress. In the countless ages of eternity
Ave groAV. Happiness — life — is growth. Can a philosophy be finer ?
After a talk, not long ago, in a nearby toAvn, a man not of our
Church came to me and said :

The thing that appeals to me most in "Mormon" theology is your phil-
osophy of life. I Avas taught that when I reached heaven, that Avas the
end. It is not clear in my mind, according to my own religion, as to just
Avhat I shall do, but it Avas rather a thought that ended strife and growth,
largely. Your philosophy of eternal, eATerlasting growth and increase is
to me the most gripping and appealing doctrine I haAre eA-er heard in my
life.

So then, translated into life, Avhat does it mean? It means
that "Mormon" boys and girls try, Aveak as some of them maybe, to
keep their bodies clean, to live the laAvs of health and growth, to
secure information, knoAvledge and education. Our schools and
our Churches stand side by side in these Avonderful ATillages and
toAvns of ours. Our boys are told to study good books eAd-y-
Avhere ; our girls also ; that all the intelligence that they gain
here will help them out in the hereafter. I belieATe that this
teaching has had its effect in attaining this Avonderful civiliz-
ation to AA'hich I have referred.

RELIGION IS NOT APART FROM LIFE

And so, there comes to me this thought : to the Mormon boy or
girl, three words ahvays are associated together — Home, Life,
Heaven ! Religion is to us not something apart from life. It is
life itself ! It is not to be taken off during the Aveek days and
put on only on Sunday. It isn't religion to us unless it is trans-
lated into our lives, into the home and life of eATery boy and girl
in the Church. And religion such as this, taking hold of the boy
or girl's heart in youth, helps to shape and mould life along proper
lines. If faithful and true to the end, they will in the next
Avorld look out upon an endless vista of eternal groAvth and
development. Such is our idea of eternal life.

I ask you, could a church, teaching such a doctrine and helping
in eA^ery way possible to translate it into the liA'es of its adher-
ants, be other than good ? Somehow I belieAre, as I said in the
beginning, that AA"e shall from iioav on go out into the world with
a neAV message. We haAe proven long ago, from a scriptural
standpoint, the divinity of the religion Ave preach. We do not
fear that science, or that discoveries of archaeology, or that e\Ten
theologians, Avill disprove our doctrines. Noaa, AA'ith the help of
God, Ave would like to go out and tell another story, a story that

LATTER-DAY SAINTS* MILLENNIAL STAR 631

perhaps hasn't been fully explained — namely, the effect that this
religion, when properly understood, has upon the lives of its
members.

"VVe would like to tell them the story of our boys that were
examined at one of our colleges, at the beginning of the War —
four hundred of them — and not one suffering from one of the
diseases known as the social diseases. The doctor who made the
examination said it could not be duplicated in any other place in
the world.

We would like to have our boys and girls known in their true
light. I would like to have the missionaries who labour in the
Eastern States Mission let those people among whom they labour
know just what kind of homes they come from. I believe some-
how, if we can do this, if Ave can tell the world what "Mormon-
ism" means, when translated into actual life, we shall better
succeed in the great mission entrusted to us when this work was
commenced ; namely, to preach the Gospel, and to bring souls to
God. The greatest labour in the world is to bring souls to that
condition, that eternal life may be theirs.

May God bless this great Avork that the day will soon come
when it shall be knoAvn in its true light, in the world. May He
bless all those Avho work to bring about that day, I humbly pray
in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen. — (Address deliAered in the
Tabernacle at Salt Lake City, Utah, August 12th, 11)33.)

TRIBUTES TO DR. JOSEPH F. MERRILL

[The following tributes to Dr. Joseph F. Merrill of the Council of
Twelve, Avho is soon to take over the responsibility of presiding over the
European Missions, were receiA'ed from fellow-workers Avho lnwe been
closely associated with him in his past Avork in the Gospel cjuisc.]

Joseph P. Merrill, our Church Commissioner of Education,
is about to leaA'e us for a season. Upon his return, he may, and
then again he may not, be directly associated with the Depart-
ment of Education. I do notknoAA*, of course. As of the present,
hoAveA*er, may I offer the folloAA'ing personal tribute :

For three years past, I haAe Avorked for and under and with
Joseph F. Merrill. In such close-up contact, I haATe learned to
knoAv him, as I have known feAv men. This means that I haA'e
learned to admire and to krve him. For, be it remembered, no
man can learn to knoAv Joseph F. Merrill, unless at the same time
he learns to admire and to loA*e him. The nearer you are, the
closer you feel. This, let me say, folloAvs as surely "as the night
the day."

To Jacob of old the Lord said : "Thy name shall no more be
Jacob, but Israel : for as a prince hast thou power with God and
with men, and hast preAailed." In the presence of Joseph F.
Merrill, as I knoAv him, one cannot help but feel himself in the
presence of a modern Jacob, a ''prince of God" and "a soldier of
righteousness." A •'scholar humane," expresses his winning
personal charm. And of just such Jacobs, ancient and modern,
Abraham quotes the Lord as saying: '"These I will make my
rulers."

(Continued on page 6-J7J

THE LATTER-DAY SAINTS' MILLENNIAL STAR

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 28, 1938

EDITORIAL
GOD BE WITH YOU!

On the coming first of October the responsibility of presiding
over the European Mission, placed upon me five years and nine
months ago, will pass into other hands. The next issue of the
Star will be edited under new supervision.

As I look back over this period of service, a feeling of gratitude
Avells tip Avithin me. It has been a rare privilege to labour so
many days in behalf of God's own cause with the people and the
problems of Europe. There is but the lingering regret that no
more has been accomplished. Yet, I am conscious that heavenly
powers have given aid, for we are a step further on than before.

Before my mind's eye pass the succession of noble men and
women upon whose labours in byegone years we have been build-
ing. To have been admitted to such an honoured company, to
help carry their plans forward, is honour enough.

The Mission Presidents and their wives with their unselfish,
splendid labours will ever be remembered and their friendships
cherished.

I see the coming and going of missionaries, zealous, eager,
striving, battling, the finest body of young men in the world.
Youth and courage have retimed to me in the presence of these
ambassadors of truth. Could one ask for better associations ?

The host of Latter-day Saints, European members of the Church
in these missions, pass also in review. They form the Church in
these lands. They are on the outposts of Zion. They must carry
the work forward. In the lives of these my brethren and sisters,
I have found faith, devotion, sacrifice, undaunted courage, con-
quest of self, and victory over evil, love of God and man. I rejoice
to have the friendship of such valiant members of Zion's army.

God bless you all : the memory of the leaders of the past ;
fellow missionaries of the present who have come and gone ;
saints, friends, whose lives have stirred my soul to emulation.
May the spirit of the mission field never leave you. I can ex-
press for you no better wish.

The Millennial Star? It will continue to shine; its mission is
not yet ended. Some day in finer dress, with more imposing
contents, it will be known far and wide among the nations of
Europe, as a welcome messenger, but its message will be the
same ! God lives ; He has spoken in this day ; the Church of Christ
has been restored with authority and a fulness of truth for the
welfare of all mankind ; come and hear the glad message !

To those who have laboured with me as associate editors, con-
tributors, printers, distributers and readers my sincere thanks.

LATTER-DAY SAINTS' MILLENNIAL STAR 633

Rest assured that many hearts have been blessed by your
labours. My thanks to the thousands who have shown me favours
in my labours and travels in many lands.

May the new hands into which the work now goes be greatly
blessed and prospered.

God be with you !— John A. Widtsoe.

UNTIL WE MEET AGAIN!

Two things make life worth living : first, an absolute faith in a
personal loving Father in Heaven ; second, an adjustment of one-
self to His laAvs so that one may feel a daily guidance and growth
toward the perfect life. We Were placed on earth to learn
through struggle and oftentimes hard experience the lessons of
mortality. But a guide for learning these lessons was given to
the first man and all his descendants, to be used or rejected as
they desired. This life guide is called the Gospel of Jesus Christ,
and only by understanding it measurably and increasingly and
living it consistently may one be really happy. Such a life may
be full of joy in spite of hard experiences and difficulties. You
have proved this to be true ; so have I ; and so have all who have
put themselves in harmony with this knowledge and used it.

During the past six years of our association in this mission, I
have attempted to help the Relief Societies and other women's
organizations throughout all the missions to realize their respon-
sibility in living and teaching by their lives the application of
three of the many great truths of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
First, the newer knowledge of the Word of Wisdom ; second, the
imperative need of our people living together in peace and un-
derstanding ; third, that the Lord loves the missions of Zion just
as much as He does the stakes of Zion — and Ave are building Zion
here to-day wherever the pure in heart may dwell.

The first of these truths concerns the body of man, which must
be sacred since it was designed by God to be the tabernacle of His
spiritual child. It is given to us — who are His spiritual children —
as a tool for use during our mortal sojourn, and it should be our
intelligent concern to keep it clean, pure and healthy. That Ave
may knoAv Iioav to do this our Father has given His children in
each age definite instructions. The guide to health given to
modern Israel, called the "Word of Wisdom," contains definite
rules for physical well-being, since health of body is funda-
mental for complete mental and spiritual health. In this Word
Ave are told of certain things that Ave must do ; also of others
that we must not do, and each set of rules must be followed
if one is to be Avell. You have heard much about the "dont's."
of the Word Wisdom ; Ave have tried to emphasize for our benefit
the "do's." The reason for this is basic : if the body is AA'ell fed
by natural, simple (and often inexpensive) food, there Avill be
little temptation to use stimulants that satisfy an unnatural
craving. On the other hand, if our allowance permits but a

634 LATTER-DAY SAINTS' MILLENNIAL STAR

minimum for food, and that little or much, as the ease may be, is
spent largely for white bread, margarine, pastry, Avith overdoses
of meat, then the body is sure to be under-nourished and a con-
stant craving results which is easy to drown with the stimulant
of a cup of tea, or beer, or even the use of tobacco. This under-
nourishment soon leads to disease ; so of the two, it would seem
that the positive teaching of the Word of Wisdom is the most
important part of the document for the reason that prevention
of an evil is so much better than cure. However, the full
obedience of this wise law of health will give the great rewards
promised therein, as many of us have definitely proven.

The second truth concerns the Church in every ward and stake
and mission, for the Evil One is abroad and has used well his
weapon of envy, jealousy, and strife in our midst. In this
respect the influence of the women of the Church may be in-
valuable for righteousness. That group of people, whether as
family, branch, or district, who allow themselves to find fault
with or criticize each other ; to dislike or gossip, speaking evil of
each other — such a group is not living the Gospel truths and must
give up the name of Latter-day Saints. One needs no other evi-
dence on that point. If you or I allow ourselves for one moment to
dislike and speak evil of one of our brethren or sisters for any cause
whatsoever, we may know that we are out of harmony with the
Gospel of Jesus Christ and are out of tune with the Spirit of God.
It behooves us to set ourselves right first and keep our thoughts
and words expressive of the good in our neighbours and friends —
otherwise, ^ve may not classify ourselves as Latter-day Saints.
We are no better than the rest of the wrangling, jarring world
around us unless Ave can liAre and pro\Te by our daily lives that
Christ's Gospel is ours as proved by our ability to liA^e in peace
with our neighbours and all our Church members. To allow our
sehTes to criticize our leaders and each other is to proA~e ourseh'es
guilty of some secret sin because of A\diich Ave are out of harmony
with the spirit of peace, joy, and harmony — which is the Spirit
of the Gospel of Christ. If AATe find some of our leaders or mem-
bers Avhom we think are doing AArrong, Ave do not help them by
adA*ertisiiig their faults broadcast. If a leader or member is in
sin our effort should be to help them by prayer and understand-
ing, not by faultfinding or gossip. If he or she will not repent
then Ave may rest assured that they Avill not long remain as
leaders — their sin will take them from our midst without our
efforts agaiust them.

The third truth results from the application of those just men-
tioned. WhereAer under the shining sun there is a group of
Latter-day Saints — in the real meaning of the term — there is
Zion ; Avhether it be in the frozen Northland or under tropical
skies ; in the heart of the American desert or the loATely green
Isles of Britain. "The earth is the Lord's and the fulness there-
of" ; and He loves every nook and corner of it just as He loAes
every son of Adam. Naturally, there must be one "center"

LATTER-DAY SAINTS' MILLENNIAL STAR 635

stake, but it matters not a great deal where it may be located.
Jerusalem was in the old world ; may not the New Jerusalem be
on another continent? Also, those who love and serve our
Heavenly Father, who put themselves in harmony with His laws,
become His chosen people. To them is committed the joy of be-
coming "Saviours upon Mount Zion" by helping as many as
possible of those who wander to understand and live the Truth.

This is a time when Zion must be built up in all the earth. And
your fair land of Britain needs all your best effort to teach and
spread Truth in her midst. We are all missionaries in this
glorious Cause ; and this work gives joy and satisfaction too deep
for words.

Now, the time has come when we must say fareAvell to you all —
our dear co-Avorkers and friends. I wish it Avere possible to say
this to you personally and to shake your hand and look into your
eyes as I give you a hearty greeting of farewell. I should like to
tell you personally Iioav very much I have enjoyed the oppor-
tunity of learning to knoAV you dear saints of the British Mission.
Since that is not to be, will you not take this message from me
as though Ave Avere speaking together, face to face ? I am going
home AA'ith an increased respect for the stalwart people of my
Fatherland, and I am proud that my ancestry is the same as
yours. We must all strive to help this great nation to stand for
Truth and Righteousness, for only in such soil can the truths
of the Gospel flourish.

I pray that you Avill all support President and Sister Merrill who
are here to take our place ; also President and Sister Douglas and
all your present leaders, for they are righteous men and women
avIio are doing their best to help this great Avork to groAV in your
midst. I leaAre Avith you one and all my love and blessing —
" Until Ave meet again." — Leah D. Wiutsoe.

"AU REVOIR"

I am sorry that the time has come to say "Ait Revoir."
England and Europe have been my home for the past six years,
except for a period of one year that was spent in the United
States. So here I really am at home, and it is AA'ith misgivings
that I lea\^e.

Six years ago a youngster landed at Plymouth. She Avas a
typical American child. For one year she attended a Aery fine
English girl's school and, although her Americanisms AA^ere
laughed at, she made many friends. Foremost among these are
the many fine people avIio claim membership in the true Gospel
of Christ. These people taught this child many of the great
lessons of life. She learned for herself that a testimony of the
Gospel of Christ is the most AvortliAvhile possession on the face of
the earth. She also learned that to live at all times a life that
Avould bring real joy Avould be to live the same truths that
Avere lived by these saints Avith whom she came in contact. She
travelled over the British Isles, other European missions, and in

636 LATTER-DAY SAINTS MILLENNIAL STAR

each place met Latter-day Saints whom she learned to love and
respect very much. . . .

The years spent in the mission field have been very happy.
I am grateful to all my many friends here for helping to shape my
life and thoughts.

I love England and its people, and, although I have to say
" An Revoir " now, I am looking forward to the time when I will
again visit yon and your country. — Eudora Widtsoe.

WHAT OF THE FUTURE?

The Gospel has been restored for the last time, and will never
be taken from the earth again. It must and will be preached to
all nations. Thousands Avill continue to accept it. Its destiny is
victory. All hell may rage in opposition, but God's work will
move steadily, surely, to completion. Latter-day Saints need
have no fear about the future of the Church in Europe or else-
where.

Would that Ave might speak with the same certainty about the
future of every member of the Church ! The tempter, ever active,
leads weakness into sin, and ends his story too often Avith dis-
honour and death. Nevertheless, it is given to man to oATercome
every evil. That every man shall use his every endeavour, with
a Avill and in prayer, to walk uprightly before the Lord, is the
first requirement of the A7ictorious future.

EA^ery member of the Church in these European lauds must
seek the missionary spirit, and assume the duties of a missionary.
The true Latter-day Saint desires to bring all men, especially
those whom he knoAvs best, into the knoAvledge that he has found
so deal'. EA^ery member Avill find, if he but seek, some means in
his daily life to teach the Gospel to others. Millions are hunger-
ing for the Gospel without knowing it. Upon our proselyting
activity depends in large measure the future growth of the
Church.

The enlivening principle of the Gospel is \o\e. The members of
the Church must dwell together in peace and unity. Such fruits
of the Gospel are more readily recognized by the stranger to be of
God than the formal theology of the Chinch. LiA'e the Gospel,
and thousands Avill feel impelled to do honour to the Church and
to enter it. That is another means of making the future suc-
cessful.

The A'ery genius of the Church is self-government. There is no
Priesthood class in the Church, since all men may hold the Priest-
hood. There is no official class in the Church, since all members,
men and women, may hold office. Every branch must look for-
Avaid to being directed by men and women drawn out of its oavii
membership. Thereby comes development for all, because all in
turn and time are asked to accept some responsibility of leader-
ship. In the future, the European Saints, as those in the wards
of Zion, Avill require no outside help, except as it comes through
the constituted authorities of the Church.

By the same token, self-support is a fundamental principle of
the Church. He who leans upon another does not become strong.
It is better to eat one's oavii bread, humbly, than to feast upon

LATTER-DAY SAINTS' MILLENNIAL STAR 637

the charity of others. The honest payment of tithes and fast
offerings Avill sustain the branches, and by such honest dealings
with the Lord, from whom all blessings flow, the Spirit of the
Lord will be richly present with the people to comfort, sustain
and succour them. Self-support is another building block for
the future.

The organizations of the Church are already fairly well developed
in European lands. As they are more fully used, their power for
good in the lives of friends as well as members, will be more
strongly felt. The vigorous use of the organizations iioav avail-
able will prepare the way for other blessings, greatly desired by
the European saints. The future may bring to these lands every
blessing enjoyed by the saints anywhere.

The principle of salvation for the dead, if eagerly entertained
in the searching out of our genealogies, will bring to the aid of
the future the gratitude of untold hosts on the other side. With
such aid, our inmost desires may be realized.

Latter-day Saints must be as a happy, loving family, obedient
to the laws of action prepared and taught by our Father in
Heaven. Friendship, brotherly love, mutual helpfulness, will
make the Church of Christ the envied institution among the
children of men.

To the brethren it may be said further that only as they respect
and honour the Priesthood conferred upon them can real progress
be won in the branches. Priesthood implies leadership ; and you
as leaders in the Church must accept the responsibility placed
upon you, if future progress is to be expected.

What of the future ? It may be greater than the present if
these simple requirements are heeded : Overcome evil ; develop
the missionary spirit ; cultivate love among the members of the
Church ; make ready for branch self-government : practise self-
support in the branches ; make increasing good use of the organ-
izations of the Church ; seek after our dead ; make of the branches
happy, loving families, and let the Priesthood rise to its proper
place of righteous though humble leadership.

What of the future ? It may be even as we make it, for power
is given us through the Gospel to perform all tasks necessary for
the promotion of the purposes of the Author of the Plan of
Salvation. — John A. Widtsoe.

TRIBUTES TO DR. JOSEPH F. MERRILL

(Concluded from page 631)
In addition to this personal element, Joseph F. Merrill has
rendered at least three marked services to the entire seminary
system. In the first place, he has stabilized it. Under his force-
ful leadership, the seminary has become, more than ever before,
one of the Church's finest balance wheels, and a real force in the
uplift of humankind. In the second place, he has mapped out
a specific objective. Now, as never before, the teacher knows, in
matters of class room aims, where to go, why to go, how to go,
and what to do when he gets there. In the third place, he has
unified the entire seminary system, both senior and junior. That
is, figuratively speaking, he has taken many strands theretofore

638 LATTER-DAY SAINTS' MILLENNIAL STAR

more or less loose and dangling, and he has woven them into a
unified fabric.

In writing the above, I feel sure that I am expressing the
sentiment of Joseph F. Merrill's entire offiee family. Good hick
to him in his new field of labour.
E. Ernest Bramwell

Field Supervisor, Department of Education

Joseph F. Merrill is a man who, if duty demanded it, would
walk through fire. He is a man with unusual intellect and with
marvelous clearness of vision. It was he who first conceived the
thought of starting a seminary. . . .

It seemed so appropriate and fitting and so clearly inspirational
for the First Presidency of the Church to recommend him for our
Commissioner of Education at a time when his clearness of vision
was so much needed and when the educational problems of the
Church needed a character of just such strength. The Presi-
dency had a rigid, severe programme to carry out and they
selected a man who had the courage and the daring and the
vision to carry out to the very letter their wishes and desires.
In the Department of Education he has certainly done a re-
markable work for the Church. And in all the unusual ac-
complishments which have come under his leadership and
direction, he has gone forward strictly in accordance with the
specific instructions given by the First Presidency of the Church.
He has done this great work in accordance with the plan they
had in mind. He had the courage and ability to do it. They
assigned him the duty, and since it was his duty, as I said in the
beginning, he would do it at any cost. I have been intimately
associated with him from my boyhood. I have knoAvn no better
and certainly few abler men.

Richard R. Lyman

ALL GERMANY WILL FAST

Headlined in London papers as "Hitler's Remarkable Relief
Scheme" and "Fast Sunday for Every German," is the newly
proposed relief plan of the National-Socialist Government, the
Nazi administration of Germany. We read in the Daily Tele-
graph of September 14th, 1933 :

"By restricting the cost of its Sunday dinner once a month to a
maximum of 6d. per person, the German population is to supply
means for the relief of the acute distress expected during the
coming winter. Money raised in this way is to be supplemented
by general street and house-to-house collections, systematic
deductions from wages and salaries. . . .

" . . . The first Sunday in every month is to be a "fast" for
the benefit of the hungry. The restriction is to prevail in res-
taurants, hotels and railway dining-cars, as well as in private
dwellings."

Herr Goebbels of the Propaganda Ministry, in presenting the
plan to his people, proudly declared it to be "the most grandiose
organization of the present year, the like of which cannot be
shown by any other nation,"

LATTER-DAY SAINTS' MILLENNIAL STAR R39

How often have "Mormon" Elders proclaimed from the street
corners, and in their tracting visits, the immense economic possi-
bilities of the principle of fasting as taught by the Church of Jesnt
Christ of Latter-day Saints. Reducing it to purely mathemati-
cal proportions they have shown how, by its honest observance,
the people of a community, a city, a nation, or an empire could
greatly alleviate the want of their unfortunate neighbours who
might be destitute. But, "Though it sounds all right, it could
never be done," is the response that has usually met them.

However, here is a great nation, filled with a burning national
sentiment, optimistically preparing to combat the want and
distress of the coming winter by the observance of the simple but
effective principle of organized fasting. The success of its efforts
will be interesting to observe.

Since 1855, the Church has cared for its poor by means of the
contributions from regular fast days. In that year the General
Authorities, under divine inspiration, to meet the emergency of
an impending famine set aside the first Thursday of each month
as "fast day." What was saved by this sacrifice was given to
those who would otherwise be in want. In 1896 the day of
fasting was changed from Thursday to the first Sunday in each
month. Created to meet an emergency, this plan has become
an institution in the Church, an effective means of caring for the
poor. A striking example of its efficiency was the response
of the Church membership to a specially decreed day of fasting
in the spring of 1921, the proceeds to be distributed in Europe,
Armenia, and other places where suffering was acute. The sum
of £22,000 was realized from that one Church-wide fast day.

It is indeed singular that a comparison of the details of the
two systems of organized fasting shows them to be so nearly
identical. Perhaps that part of the message of the Restored
Gospel may have been either directly or indirectly the inspiration
and the model for the new scheme adopted by the German
Government — perhaps not. But evident, at least, is the fact that
consciously or unconsciously, the people of the world are dis-
covering that the Lord's way is best. The leaven of the Gospel
is spreading.— Elder Richard S. Bennett.

WELSH DISTRICT CONFERENCE

Unusual attendance and interest marked the three sessions of
the Welsh District Conference held September 3rd, at Miners
Hall, in Merthyr Tydfil, the first of the autumn series of mission-
wide district conferences. Over seven hundred attended the
evening services.

The morning session of the conference, after a preliminary
programme in which short talks were given by representatives of
three of the auxiliary organizations, was devoted to Priesthood
and Relief Society activity reports and instructions. President
James H. Douglas conducted the Priesthood discussions. Sister
Rintha Pratt Douglas, the Relief Society discussion. Also, three
brethren were advanced in the Priesthood.

At the afternoon meeting, the General Authorities of the
Church were sustained by the unanimous vote of the members
present, Also accepted was the district activity report, pre-

040 LATTER-DAY SAINTS' MILLENNIAL STAR

sented by District President Clifford G. Green, which stated that
dnring the past seven months the travelling Elders spent
8,544 hours in actual missionary work. Of this total, they
spent 861 hours traeting. They distributed 20,341 tracts, 784
pamphlets, and 20 copies of the Book of Mormon. They
had 12,744 calls answered while traeting, 03 invitations into
homes, and took part in 1,811 Gospel conversations. The local
brethren of the district traeted 181 hours and distributed 4,635
tracts and 8 copies of the Book of Mormon. Since the last confer-
ence, three children have been blessed, and five persons baptized.

"The Divinity of the Book of Mormon" formed the theme for
the addresses of the missionaries and branch presidents who
spoke in the afternoon meeting. Musical interludes, vocal solos,
were furnished by Sister Nora Dance, Sister Ivy Forward, and
Brother Hubert Pulman.

The large crowd at the evening service listened with deep in-
terest to the sermons and testimonies of the speakers. Sister
Douglas spoke first, related the story of Joseph Smith's first
prayer, and also told of the misconception that the world has of
" Mormonism." Sister Emma S. Jensen spoke of her early ex-
periences in the Church, and bore a sincere testimony. Professor
J. Marinus Jensen pointed ont the difference between "Mormon-
ism " and the teachings of other denominations in connection with
the Plan of Salvation. President Donglae spoke on the Restora-
tion of the Gospel, and the Three Witnesses of the Book of
Mormon.

That " Wales is the Land of Song " was amply evidenced by the
beautiful singing of the Treeynon Juvenile Choir, a group of
Welsh girls, all under sixteen years of age. Throughout the
evening session, to a very appreciative audience, they sang the
lovely songs of Wales in their native tongue. In addition to the
choir, Miss Betty Styling contributed a violin solo to the mnsic of
the evening.

The conference was directed by President James H. Donglas of
the British Mission. The auxiliary meetings and activities were
directed by Sister Rintha Pratt Donglas, consulting supervisor of
auxiliaries and President of the Relief Society of the British Mis-
sion. There were in attendance also, Professor J. Marinus Jensen
of the Brigham Young University, and Sister Emma S. Jensen of
Provo, Utah ; President Clifford G. Green and Elders Allan N.
Adams, Robert H. Booth and Herbert T. Edgar of the Welsh
District ; President Sylvan E. Needham, Jr., of the Newcastle
District, and President Eugene A. Hooper of the Bristol District.
Herbert T. Edgar, Clerk of Conference.

CONTENTS

"Mormon" Home Life and Until We Meet Again ! ...633

Ideals 625 "AuRevoir" 635

Tributes to Dr. Joseph F.Merrill 631 What of the Future ? ... 636

Editorials: All Germany Will Fast 638

God Be With You ! 632 Welsh Districo Conference ...639

PUBLISHER : JAMES H. DOUGLAS, 43 TAVISTOCK SQUARE, LONDON, W.C. 1
EDITOR : JOHN A. WIDTSOE, 5 GORDON SQUARE, LONDON, W.C. 1
James Foggo, Printer, 2" Park Lane, Liverpool